Region VIII Awards
Region VIII Scholarships

Region VIII Awards

The application deadline for the awards has passed and will reopen in advance of the 2024 Regional Conference.

Students frequently serve as role models to other students. They inspire them to action, lead by example, and exhibit behaviors that other students wish to emulate. The College Union and Campus Life Role Model Award is presented to a student who best exemplifies outstanding achievement in the college union/student activities field and the ideals of “The Role of the College Union.” 

CRITERIA
  • Undergraduate or graduate student in a degree program at an ACUI member institution
  • Has participated for at least one year in the area of campus activities at their institution in a volunteer capacity 
  • Makes a significant contribution to campus life at their institution 
  • Actively participates in ACUI activities
  • Student’s contributions make a positive impact on the university community
Past recipients
  • 2018: Kadie Dickson, UMass Lowell
  • 2019: Stephanie Garcia, Bridgewater State University
  • 2020: Nadia Santone, Central Connecticut State University
  • 2023: Sophia Nasif-Whitestone, University of the Arts London

The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor presented by Region VIII and recognizes an individual who made a significant impact on Region VIII and at their home institution.

CRITERIA
  • Minimum 10-year contribution to the field of student unions, student activities, and Region VIII
  • A record of exemplary and distinguished service to the Association through both volunteer and appointed positions 
  • Has made an extraordinary impact on students, staff, the Association, and the region 
  • Demonstrated high-quality work and made a sustained contribution to the field and the Association
Past recipients
  • 2019: Una Redmond, Dublin City University
  • 2020: Ian Russell, Maynooth University
  • 2021: Adam Dunbar, UMass Lowell

The Holly Sateia College Union Role Model and Campus Life Award is awarded to a professional staff member that inspires us to action and is a person that others wish to follow and emulate.

Holly Sateia, for whom this award is named, began her time with ACUI in 1990 as the Director of the Collis Center. She became actively engaged and involved with the Region in 1995, when she served as Host Chair for the Regional Conference at Dartmouth College. Following that, she held a variety of positions on the Regional Leadership Team, culminating in her serving as the Regional Director from 2000-2003 and receiving the Region’s Distinguished Service Award.

In 2005 she served as the Educational Sessions Chair for the Regional Institute hosted by the University of Cork in Ireland. Holly was also later elected to the ACUI Board of Directors for a 3-year term and retired with the distinction of ACUI Honorary Member.

Throughout her career Holly fiercely championed women’s rights, social justice, diversity and inclusivity. Holly was always willing to serve in whatever capacity was needed and was a valuable resource that many sought after for help with individual campus and regional issues and concerns.

This award seeks to honor Holly’s legacy and is presented to a professional staff member who best exemplifies outstanding achievement in the college union/student activities field, and best exemplifies the ideals of “The Role of the College Union”.

CRITERIA
  • Makes a significant contribution to campus life at their institution
  • Has provided outstanding development opportunities for students in the college union
  • Is viewed by colleagues as an educator 
  • Shows creativity and innovation in the performance of their job 
  • Has made an extraordinary impact on students’ lives and has earned their respect 
  • Actively participates in ACUI activities 
  • Is employed as a current full-time professional at an ACUI member institution and has been at this institution for at least nine months 
  • Must have five years or more experience in the college union or student activities field
Past Recipients
  • 2018: Maria Roberts, Rensselaer Polytechnic University
  • 2019: Andrade Fearon, Northeastern University
  • 2022: Martin Ryan, University of Limerick
  • 2023: Yemi Gbajobi, University of the Arts London

ACUI has a strong commitment to growing the profession. New professionals bring new ideas, enthusiasm, and lay the groundwork for the student unions and student activities field of tomorrow. This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates the positive potential and commitment for excellence in the college unions/student activities field. 

CRITERIA
  • Has been employed in the field as a current full-time professional at an ACUI member institution for five years or less (definition of full-time employment is no less than nine months a year)
  • Makes a significant contribution to campus life at their institution
  • Demonstrates commitment to the college union/student activities field
  • Is viewed by colleagues as an educator
  • Displays genuine support and regard for students
  • Shows creativity and innovation in the performance of their job
  • Demonstrates commitment to ACUI through regional or association-wide involvement
Past recipient
  • 2018: John Westcott, Tufts University
  • 2019: Podge Sheehan, Dublin City University
  • 2020: Malcolm Thomas, Albertus Magnus College
  • 2021: Cheyenne Alexander, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • 2022: Armani Sutherland, University of the Arts London
  • 2023: Dan Hurley, Albertus Magnus College

ACUI thrives through the contributions of its volunteers; they are the heart of our association. They often contribute a great deal of enthusiasm and hard work behind the scenes. The Significant Volunteer Award is presented to an individual who has made a substantial contribution as a volunteer to ACUI and Region VIII.

CRITERIA & Eligibility
  • Volunteered either regionally or nationally for a minimum of one year
  • Provided substantial contributions behind the scenes to support regional programs and services
  • Frequently goes the extra mile to assist the region and the Association
  • Contributions have made a positive impact on the Association, the Region, or members
Past recipients
  • 2018: Erin Dayharsh, University of Massachusetts Boston
  • 2019: Kaitlyn Dyleski, Bridgewater State University
  • 2020: Dezanae Boston-Bernier, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • 2021: Deidre Kennelly, Mary Immaculate College
  • 2022: Jose Reyes, University of Massachusetts Boston
  • 2023: Erin Dayharsh, University of Massachusetts Boston

Our unions and student activity centers could not operate without the support and dedication of our student employees. They are the heart of our work and operations. They regularly demonstrate excellent and outstanding service to students, staff, and the university community. The Student Employee Award is presented to a student who regularly demonstrates a commitment to the mission and goals of the union/department where they work and makes a substantial contribution to their union/office and/or campus.

CRITERIA
  • Must be a paid student employee working in the college union
  • Undergraduate student in a degree program
  • Student must have worked for at least two semesters by the time of the Region VIII conference
  • Student makes a significant contribution to their work environment on campus
  • Student’s work contribution makes a positive impact on the university community
  • Student demonstrates excellent or outstanding employment traits such as honesty, credibility, punctuality, focus, responsibility, professionalism, strong conflict management, organizational skills, and supervisory skills
  • Student consistently provides quality service to others
Past recipients
  • 2018: Trizy Garcia, Central Connecticut State University & James Burnham, Quinnipiac University
  • 2019: Andrew Pelzer, Fitchburg State University
  • 2020: Jack Lindberg, Bentley University
  • 2021: Marvin Medina, Central Connecticut State University
  • 2022: Matt Harper, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • 2023: Alyssa Vezina, Central Connecticut State University, Leeanne Bahn, Bentley University

Region VIII Scholarships

Region VIII offers scholarships that help advance professionals and students through participation in educational events.

This grant was developed to support and further ACUI’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Driven by principles of mutual respect, common purpose, and equity for all persons, the Association is committed to creating and maintaining a sense of community and inclusion for all its constituents and raising awareness regarding issues of oppression. Diversity, inclusion, equity, access, and multiculturalism, regardless of how they have been named, are not only important to our association, but to the work on our campuses. To that end, this mini-grant was designed to provide support and funding for a program, initiative, training, or experience that seeks to enhance participants’ intercultural proficiency and/or understanding of social justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity. A mini-grant of up to $500 will be awarded to defray the costs involved.

Criteria
  • The proposed program or experience must be implemented within one year following the award.
  • Applicant must provide a program proposal of no more than 2 pages which includes the following:
    • Project Description – Describe the project structure, duration, content, implementation timeline and intended audience.
    • Goals – What are you trying to accomplish?
    • Learning Objectives – Brief statements that describe what participants will have learned at the end of the experience.
    • Funding – Describe how the funds will used to support the proposal
  • Upon completion of the program/experience, the awardee must provide a one-page overview to Region VIII, describing the impact and the success of their learning   objectives.

Donnchadh O’hAodha made innumerable contributions to our field, the association, and particularly our region. He first became involved with ACUI in 1989, and from then until his retirement in 2012, he was a longtime member of the Region VIII Leadership Team and worked from his side of the Atlantic to connect international members with the region. As a presenter, host, mentor, and friend, he enriched our region with his involvement. His commitment and dedication were recognized in 2008 when he received the association’s highest honor – the prestigious Butts Whiting Award. Additionally, he built the first Irish Centre and also established and developed the Association of Students’ Union Administrators.

We named this international scholarship after him to honor a special person who epitomizes ACUI’s commitment to community building.

The Donnchadh O’hAodah Professional Development International Scholarship for $1,000 will be awarded each year to a professional staff member to attend a professional development opportunity held overseas but offered within Region VIII, such as a conference or program offered by one of ACUI’s sister organizations in Ireland or the United Kingdom or for the ACUI annual conference. Please note: The scholarship must be used within one year from the date of the award.

Criteria
  • Full-time professional staff members at a Region VIII member institution
  • A minimum of three years of professional experience in the field of higher education 
  • The applicant must provide a letter stating their interest in attending a specific ACUI program and demonstrate a commitment to sharing the knowledge gained through experience upon return
Past recipients
  • 2019: Ian Russell, Maynooth University, Ireland
  • 2023: Noelle Lynch, Mary Immaculate College Students’ Union (MISU)

Region VIII is offering one I-LEAD® scholarship to support an undergraduate student. The scholarship covers up to $1,000 per student for registration and travel. During the six-day program, all participants follow the same curriculum. The living-learning, substance-free environment allows for close bonds to form among students and facilitators. The unique intensity of the institute engages participants in an open and safe exploration of topics such as values and vision, diversity, conflict resolution, communication, decision-making, and goal-setting. Bringing together individuals from a variety of backgrounds, leadership positions, and geographic regions, both students and facilitators will build some of the most personally and professionally rewarding relationships with peers and mentors from across the association, all united with the goal of improving the quality of campus community life for all.

Criteria
  • Undergraduate student member from a Region VIII member institution
  • Involved for at least one year in the student union and student activities profession as a student organization member, leader, student employee, or volunteer
  • Applicant must provide a letter stating why they are interested in attending I-LEAD® and demonstrate a commitment to sharing the knowledge gained through the experience upon return
  • Familiar with the ACUI and its mission
Past Recipients
  • 2018: Jason Howell, Albertus Magnus College
  • 2019: Alexis Crespo, Central Connecticut State University

ACUI has many programs and conferences that aim to educate our higher education professionals. This scholarship serves as a means to give the opportunity to attend those programs despite financial constraints, and will offer up to $750 to be used toward an ACUI program such as IPDS: New Professionals Orientation, Women’s Leadership Institute, and the annual conference. This is also open to our international members.

Criteria
  • Full-time professional at a Region VIII member institution
  • Have demonstrated commitment to the college union and student activities field through involvement at their institution
  • A letter of recommendation from a supervisor, as well as an application letter by the individual stating which program they are interested in attending and why
Past Recipients
  • 2018: Dezanae Boston-Berneir, University of Massachusetts–Lowell, for IPDS, Shona Cooper, University of Connecticut, for IPDS
  • 2019: Jose Reyes, University of Massachusetts Boston
  • 2022: Tiffany Moffo Simpson, University of Connecticut, Erin Morrell, Albertus Magnus College
  • 2023: Saadah Osman, University of Westminister Student Union

Region VIII is currently offering scholarships to support members in accessing this year’s Regional Conference experience. Applications are being accepted for both individual and institutional registrations.

This year Region VIII will be awarding two types of regional conference scholarships: individual and institutional. These scholarships will cover the cost of registration for our virtual and/or in-person conference experience. 

Criteria
  • Full-time professional at a Region VIII member institution
  • Applicant must provide a letter stating why they should receive the scholarship
  • Commit to sharing the knowledge gained through the experience upon return
Past recipients
  • 2018: Victoria Minervino, Central Connecticut State University, Justin Terlisner, Salem State University, Scott Shea, Salem State University
  • 2019: Aryana Kubiak, Clark University, Kristina DeVivo, Central Connecticut State University

Thomas E. Ahern served as the director of the Student Union at the University of Connecticut for 30 years before retiring on July 1, 1982. During his 30 years of dedicated service, he epitomized the spirit of the student union and its mission. He was an avid supporter of undergraduate and graduate students of Region VIII wishing to enter the student union/student activities field. His interest in student union/student activities extended beyond the university campus. He was an active member of ACUI for 30 years, serving as a Region VIII (then Region I) representative, as well as a panelist, moderator, and speaker at numerous regional and national conferences. This scholarship was named to honor a man who made so many contributions to our field and to Region VIII. Thomas Ahern Scholarships are awarded annually to graduate and undergraduate students to enable them to attend a program sponsored by ACUI. These programs can include participation at the annual conference, I-LEAD® (a leadership program for undergraduates), or any other educational program (regional or international) sponsored by ACUI. Scholarships of up to $750 will be awarded to help defray the costs involved.
**Self-nominations are strongly encouraged**

Criteria
  • Must be a graduate or undergraduate student in good standing at a Region VIII member institution
  • Applicant must provide a letter stating their interest in attending a specific ACUI program and demonstrate a commitment to sharing the knowledge gained through experience upon return
Past Recipients
  • 2018: Christina Roundtree, University of Vermont
  • 2019: Jason Howell, Albertus Magnus College
  • 2022: Harsha Rachagiri, Northeastern University